Remote control system for truck mounted cranes



June 25, 1957 L. R. ISERMAN REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TRUCK MOUNTEDCRANES I II INVENTOR Lavem R. lserman ATTORNEYS June 25, 1957 R. ISERMAN2,796,997

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TRUCK MOUNTED CRANES Filed NOV. 27, 1953 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. F G 8 Lovern R. lsermon ATTORNEYS O UnitedStates REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FGR TRUCK MOUNTED CRANES Lavern R. Iserman,Waverly,

Equipment Accessories, Inc., ration of Iowa Iowa, assign-or to UnitedWaverly, Iowa, a corpo The present invention relates to improvements inremote control systems and more particularly to an improved system forremotely controlling a truck from the swing platform crane cab rotatablymounted thereon. The present invention constitutes an improvement overthe unit disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 292,219 filedJune 6, 1952, and now Patent No. 2,761,569.

While it has been desirable to effect operation of both the declutchingand shifting mechanisms of the truck by means other than electricalcontrols of the crane cab a serious limitation has been present in viewof the relative rotation between the crane cab and truck chassis.Specifically, it has been found that the interconnection between thecontrol means of the crane cab and the operating mechanism on the truckmust be made through the center pin conventional in such arrangements.In my prior application, operation of the declutching mechanism waseffected by a foot operated pressure cylinder mounted on the crane cab,the interconnection being by means of the conduits passing through thecenter pin, which conduit was provided with a rotatable coupling aboutthe center pin whereby relative rotation between the operating lever onthe swing platform and truck chassis would not be interfered with.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide animproved remote control system wherein not only the declutching means isnon-electrically effected but also wherein shifting is effected bynon-electrical control means on the crane cab swing platform.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedremote control system for truck mounted cranes wherein theinterconnection between the nonelectrical control means on the swingplatform and the operating mechanism on the truck occupies a minimum ofspace so that the bore through the center pin need not be of excessivesize.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved remotecontrol system wherein the interconnection between the clutching andshifting control means on the crane cab swing platform and therespective operating means therefor on the truck utilize a common memberwhich extends through the center pin to effect operative interconnectionthrough the center pin.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from thedetailed description to follow. Generally speaking, my inventionutilizes declutching means similar to that disclosed in my referred tocopending application. However, the conduit section extending throughthe centerpin must have its lower end formed from flexible material andits upper end must be modified by the inclusion of a rotatable couplingto which a lever is connected whereby upon operation of the lever theconduit section through the centerpin is longitudinally reciprocated.Connected with the portion of the conduit below the centerpin is a valvemeans which is operated by reciprocation of the conduit section .andwhich controlsfluid pressure to a cylinder which constitutes a storr andplun er'arrang'ement which is 7 atet The'remote control me connectedwith the shifting lever of the truck for operation thereof. V

The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the remote control system of thepresent invention as applied to a truck mounted crane;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of theclutch operating means; i

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the remote control means for theclutch operating means; i T

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the operating means for shifting;

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the remote contr'olmeans for theshifting means;

Fig. 6 is a detail .view showing the valve means by which shifting iseffected in response to operation of the means of Fig. 5; i Fig. 7 is ahorizontal sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 77of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 8 is a detail somewhat diagrammatic view showing a modifiedarrangement utilizing pressure rather than vacuum; and e Fig. 9 is asectional view taken substantiallyron the line 9-9 of Fig. 4. i. f

Referring particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals'designatelike parts throughout, and with particular attention being given to Fig.1, it will be seen that there is provided a truck mounted cranedesignatedgen erally by the numeral 10 which includes a truck cab' 12and chassis 14 with a swing platform 16 rotatably mounted on'the chassis14. In the truck cab a plurality of-oper' ating mechanisms areprovidedpeach of which is adapted to operate one of the essentialdriving mechanisrhsof the truck. Of these operating mechanisms, there isincluded an acceleration operator designated generally by the number 18,a shifting operator. designatedgenerally bythe numeral 20, a steeringoperator designated generally by the numeral 22, a clutching operatordesignated generally a by the numeral 24 and a braking operatordesignated generally by the numeral 26. There is also provided'aparallel ignition circuit designated generally by 'the numeral 23 foreffecting ignition of the truck electrical system. Still further, thereis provided a starter operator designated generally by the numeral 30,abrake locking means designated generally by the numeral 32. Of theforegoing operators the acceleration operator 18, 'steering operator 22,braking operator 26 and also the ignition circuit 28, starter opertor30, and brake locking means 32 are substantially identical with thatdisclosed in the above'referred to copending application. Therefore, itis deemed that a more detailed description of these operators isunnecessary as reference may be had to that application for the detailsof construction and operation.

The remote control system for effecting operationof the operatingmechanism above referred to is comprised of electrical control meansdesignated generally by the numeral 34 and non-electrical control meansdesignated generally by the numeral 36. The electrical: control means 34are substantially identical with that disclosed in my copendingapplication with the exception that there is omitted the electricalswitch means for controlling the operation of the shifting mechanismiQfthe truck. The electrical control means 34 utilize sleeve means 38 whichisass ociated with the center pin ,40. The sleeve means 38 issubstantially identical with that disclosed in the referred toapplication with the exception that fewer brush means are required inview of the V omission of electrical controls forthe' shifting"operator." Ag y,

of electrical switches mounted on a panel 42 carried by the swingplatform 16. The lead wire 44 extends from the control panel 42 thatisconnected to the battery 45 mounted on the swing platform 16. The otherlead from thebattery is of course grounded. .On the panel 42 is providedan ignition switch 46, a push button starter vswitch 48,'a single pole,double throw momentary contact steering switch 50, acceleration switch52, brake switch 54 and brake locking switch 56. A plurality ofconductors 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and .70 interconnect the switchcontacts on the panel 42 with the sleeve means 38 on which there are aplurality of brush assemblies 72'identical with those referred to in mycopending application. A cable 74 interconnects the plurality of brushassemblies with the various operating mechanisms of the truck, as forexample the acceleration operator 18, steering'operator 22 and brakingoperator 26. The intermediate portion of the cable 74 extends throughthe bore of the center pin.

The control means 78 by which the clutch operator 24 is operated is asshown in Fig. 3 comprised of a casing 80 in which is mounted a pressurecylinder 82 having a fluid reservoir 84 integrally formed therewith andin communication with the interior of the cylinder 82 by means of thebleed opening 86. A piston 88 is reciprocably mounted in the cylinder 82and has a shaft 90 extending therefrom for pivotal connection with thelower end of the lever 92. The lever 92 is pivotally mounted about thepin 94 extending transversely of the housing 80 but has its upper endextending outwardly of the housing. A manually operable lever 96 havinga pedal 98 secured to its outer end is also pivotally mounted about thepin 94 and has a link 100 interconnecting anintermediate portion thereofwith the free end of the lever 92 by means of the pivot pin 102. It willthus be seen that upon depression of the foot pedal 98,.the piston 88will be axially moved within the fluid pressure cylinder 82 deliveringfluid pressure through a conduit generallydesignated 104 and embodyingthe two sections 103 and 105.

The clutch operating mechanism 24 is best shown in Fig. 2, referencealso being made to Fig. 3'to show the manner in which the fluid pressureis delivered from the remote control to the operating mechanism 24. Inconventional truck clutch arrangements, depression of the clutch pedal106 effects pivoting about the pivot 108 whereby movement of the clutchlinkage rod 110 is effected. The clutch operating fork 112 is adjustablymounted on the externally threaded rod 110 by means of a pair of nuts114. The operative connection be tween the clutch fork and the clutch issubstantially conventional.

In order to eifect remote control of the movement of the clutch fork112, without utilizing a positive mechanical connection, there isprovided a single action cylinder 116 carried by the bracket plate 118which in turn is suitably secured to the frame so as to align theplunger 120 of the piston 122 with the rod 110 of the conventionallinkage. The end plate 124 of the cylinder is provided with an opening126 and nipple 128 to which is connected an end of section 103 of thefluid pressure conduit 104 for supplying fluid pressure upon depressionof the pedal 98 (see Fig. 3). The light stopper spring 130 is disposedwithin the cylinder between the piston 122 and the end 132 toresiliently limit the piston movement and return it to starting positionas hereinafter set forth. A stop nut 134 is adjustably mounted on theplunger 120 for engagement with the stop 136 fixedly carried by thebracket for limiting the movement of theplunger. The conventional rod110 has a push plate 138 suitably carried by the end 140 adjacent theend 142 of the rod 120. I

It willthu's be 'seenthat clutch release must be accomplished bythedepression'of thepedal 98 on the swing platform which thereby supplies:fluid pressure through the conduit 104 to the cylinder 118 whereby theplunger engages the push plate 138, thus effecting movement of the rod110 and clutch fork 112 connected thereto. Upon release of the pedal 98the spring in the control means elfects return of the pistons to theirinitial positions. Of course, clutch release by an operator in the truckcab is not hampered.

In order to permit relative rotation between the swing platform 16 andthe truck chassis, the conduit 104 is constituted of a pair of sectionsswivelly and sealingly interconnected by the swivel joint end 146.Details of the swivel joint 146 are shown in Fig. 5. The joint 146 isthus seen to comprise a pair of recessed elements 148 and 150 joinedtogether by bolts 152. The substantially vertically extending conduitsection 103 is sealingly engaged through an opening in the lower portion150 while the other conduit section 105 is sealingly connected with thepair of recess elements 148 and 150. Thus the swivel connection 146 isstationary relative to the conduit section 105 and the two rotaterelative to the conduit section 103 as the swing platform rotatesrelative to the truck chassis. It is to be particularly noted that asopposed to the arrangement as shown in my copending application theconduit section 103 is extended somewhat above the top of the sleevemeans 38 for a purpose to be presently described. Furthermore, it is tobe particularly noted that the conduit section 103 is at least in partformed of flexible material especially at the portion thereof beneaththe center pin, the reason for which will become apparent in thedescription which follows.

The shift operating mechanism is best shown in Fig. 4 and is mounted onthe floorboard 154 of the truck cab by a pair of brackets 156 and 158which support the double acting cylinder 160. The pair of ports at 162and 164 are provided for communicating opposite sides of the piston 166with a source of vacuum by the hereinafter described conduits wherebythe plunger 168 connected to the gear shift lever 170 effects shiftinginto either forward or reverse from neutral. While truck structures aswell as other automotive vehicles have a number of positions for thegear shift other than the forward, reverse and neutral positionsreferred to, in the operation of the shift mechanism from the swingplatform while the crane is in use, itis only necessary to use theforward and reverse positions. When the shift mechanism is operated fromthe truck cab the connection between the plunger 168 and the gear shiftlever 170 may be broken so that the other shift positions can beemployed. The piston 166 is comprised of a pair of discs 172 and 174clampingly securing therebetween a pair of leather discs 176 and 178. Onopposite sides of the piston 166 are positioned a pair of springs 180and 182 for normally retaining the piston in the gear shift neutralposition. The connection between the plunger 168 and the gear shiftlever 17 0 includes a clamp element 184 held on the gear shift lever170by means of the nut and bolt 186 and 188. The clamp element 184 isbifurcated at 190 so as ,to receive the flat end 192 of the plunger 168therebetween. Aligned openings are formed in the fiat end 192 andbifurcated portion 190 respectively and a coupling pin or rivet 194 isengaged throughthe openings.

In order to control operation of the piston 166 I provide a valve means196 which is fixedly carried by the frame of the chassis preferablyadjacent the lower portion of the conduit section 103 as shownbest inFig. 6. The valve means includes the housing 198, of cylindrical formhaving a shaft opening at 200 and 202 adjacent its upper and lowerclosed ends. The medial wall portion of the housing 198 is formed withan opening and a conduit 204 is connected with the housing 198 at thisopening, the opposing end of the conduit 204 being connected with tank206 which in turn is connected with the intake manifold. of'the engine208 by means of.the conduit 210.

iionduits 212 and 214 which communicate upper and lower portions of thevalve housing 198 with opposing ends of the cylinder 160 by theconnections or ports 162 and 164. Reciprocably mounted in the valvehousing 198 is a plunger 216 which carries a pair of spaced pistons 218and 220, the spacing of which is such as to afford communication betweenthe conduit 204 and only one of the conduits 212 and 214 at any giventime. As shown, when the conduit 204 is communicated with the conduit214, the plunger 216 and pistons 218 and 220 are so positioned as tocommunicate the conduit 212 with atmosphere by means of the ports 198a.

In order to effect operation of the valve means 196, the upper end ofthe plunger 216 is threadably engaged in a turnbuckle 222, a lock nutfixing the relative adjustment between the turnbuckle and valve plunger216. The opposing end of the turnbuckle 222 has a link rod 226threadably engaged therein and locked by the nut 228. The link rod 226is arcuated and has its upper end portion at 230 lying against the lowerend portion of the conduit 103 at which point it is secured by anysuitable means such as solder or weld.

The portion of the conduit 103 between the coupling 146 and upper end ofthe sleeve means 38 is provided with a pair of spaced collars 232 and234. On the swing platform 16 are fixed a pair of upstanding posts 236and 238 through which a pin 240 extends. A hand lever 242 is pivotallymounted on the pin 240 and has one end portion thereof bifurcated at 244so as to slidably engage the conduit section 103 between the collars 232and 234. The opposing end of the lever 242 is formed with a handle 246.In order to frictionally limit the free pivoting movement of lever 242 aspring 248 is provided and encircles the pin 240 between one of theposts as, for example 236, and the lever 242 whereby the lever 242frictionally abuts the opposing post 238 (see Figs. 5 and 7).

In operation, when it is desired to shift from reverse to low or viceversa, the operator on the crane cab swing platform 16 depresses thepedal 98 so as to deliver fluid pressure through the conduit 104,embodying sections 105 and 103 joined by the swing coupling 146. Thefluid pressure is thus delivered to the cylinder 118 and longitudinalmovement of the rod 120 effects disengagement of the clutch. Theoperator then moves the lever 242 about its pivotal axis, either up ordown depending upon the required shifting. Pivoting of the lever 242effects vertical movement of the conduit section 103 and the link rod226 connected therewith. In this manner the valve plunger 216 is movedto either of two positions whereby either side of the cylinder 160 isconnected with the vacuum of the cylinder 206 while the other side ofthe cylinder 160 is connected with atmosphere by one of the ports 198athus effecting movement of the piston within the cylinder 160 andshifting of the shift lever in the truck cab. As soon as the desiredshifting has been effected the operator removes his foot from the footpedal so as to achieve clutching action.

In view of the foregoing, it will be realized that the flexibility ofthe sections 103 and 105 embodied in the conduit 104, are necessary soas to permit reciprocation of the section 103 whereby operation of thevalve means 196 is achieved.

While it has been shown that the shifting is accomplished by vacuummeans, Fig. 8 shows in somewhat diagrammatic form the provision of acompressor 258 connected with the reservoir 206, the compressor beingoperated in any desired fashion that is either by a power take-off fromthe truck or by its own internal combustion engine, or by an electricmotor run on the truck battery 252. With this arrangement, of course,the reservoir 206 is not connected with the exhaust manifold of theengine and thus pressure can be delivered to either side of the cylinder160 for effecting operation of the shift lever .0. thecab ay be embodiedin several forms without departing'from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof, the present embodiment is thereforeillustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention isdefined by the appended claims rather than by' the description precedingthem, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of theclaims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperativeequivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an earth working machine embodying a motorized truck having, acrane swing platform rotatable on the truck chassis about a pivot post,gear and clutch shift elements; mechanism for remotely controlling theclutch shift element from the crane swing platform comprising a fluidactuated element, means forming an operative coupling between saidelement and the clutch shift element whereby to effect declutchingoperation of the shift element when said fluid element is actuated, apower cylinder on the platform, a fluid conduit coupling the powercylinder with the fluid actuated element and having a portion passingaxially through said pivot post, said conduit including a swivelcoupling positioned to permit turning movement of the power cylinderwith the platform, and means on the platform for actuation of the powercylinder by a person thereon for effecting actuation of the fluidactuated unit, and said means forming the operative coupling between thefluid actuated element and the clutch shift element being so constructedand arranged that the clutch shift element is actuatable in theconventional manner from the truck independently of the fluid actuatedelement.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the said portion of thefluid conduit extends vertically through the pivot post and terminatesabove the post in said swivel coupling.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the fluid actuated elementembodies a fluid cylinder, a piston therein, and a plunger operativelyconnected with said piston for reciprocal movement and having a freeouter end, and said last means comprising a thrust receiving elementsecured to the clutch shift element in opposed relation with said freeouter end of the plunger.

'4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said clutch shift elementembodies a threaded stem between the clutch operating foot pedal and theclutch shift fork and said fluid actuated element embodies a fluidcylinder, a piston therein and a plunger connected with the piston andthe means forming said operative coupling between the fluid actuatedelement and the clutch shift element comprising the alignment of saidfree end of the plunger with said threaded stem and a thrust receivingelement on the stem.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said portion of theconduit is axially movable in the pivot post, power means operativelycoupled with the gear shift element for actuating the latter in eitherof two selected directions, means governing operation of the powermeans, means connected with said axially movable portion of the conduitfor shifting the latter, and an operative coupling between saidgoverning means and said portion of the conduit whereby axial movementof said conduit portion in either of two directions effects actuation ofthe power means through said governing means.

6. In an earth working machine embodying a motor ized truck having, acrane swing platform rotatable on the truck chassis about a pivot post,gear and clutch shift elements; mechanism for remotely controlling thegear and clutch shift elements from the crane swing platform comprisinga fluid motor for the clutch shift element, a fluid motor for the gearshift element, each of said motors including a reciprocable piston and aplunger connected therewith, means forming an operative coupling betweenthe plunger of the first motor and the clutc ment, means forminganoperative coupling b plunger of the second 0' h shift ele.-. I'

an operating fluid carrying conduit connected at one end with the motorand having a first portion passing freely axially through said pivotpost and a second portion sup ported on-the swing platform, a swivel,coupling between said portions of the conduit and the top part of thepivot post whereby the second portion may move with the platform aroundthe pivot thereof, piston means on the platform connected with the otherend of said conduit for operation by a person on the platform to efiectactuation of the first motor for declutching movement of the clutchshift element, fluid conduits connected with the second motor forconnecting a selected side of the piston thereof with a source ofoperating fluid, means providing a source of operating fluid, valvemeans for selectively coupling said source with the last named conduits,means for man- 15 2,674,333

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,140,109 Kellar Dec. 13, 1938 2,161,153 Gallun et a1 June 6, 19392,254,192 White Aug. 26, 1941 2,638,232 Perkins May 12, 1953 Zeilman etal. Apr. 6, 1954

